As another year ends and we all pause to enjoy the holidays, we mustn’t forget ‘tis the season of giving! As I sit down to write my last post for the year (yikes!) I want to take this opportunity to highlight ways we can give back to those in need.
For many, the holidays are a time to be enjoyed with family and friends, much of which revolves around food. But there are still too many members of our community who have to do without during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year.
As a result of my mom’s influence, I began my career in the nonprofit space. Helping others has always been central to everything I do, which is why supporting organizations that help those that are food-insecure is so important to me. I believe that everyone should have access to healthy and delicious food. And as a community, we should be the blanket to support those going through hard times in any way we can.
In my final post of 2022, I want to highlight a few organizations in my community that do amazing work year around. While financial donations are always needed – volunteers are also a valuable resource. Food with Purpose, the charitable arm of Simply Food Trucks, proudly supports many local organizations with our resources and time. Here are three Atlanta-based organizations we’ve supported this past year.
The food pantry started in March 2020 to help food-insecure families during the COVID shutdown. That grew into a community movement to help overlooked families. It is our great honor to help those families feel uplifted, supported, and food secure. Solidarity Sandy Springs serves more than 500 households weekly and has served 50,000 shoppers this year.
SFT believes that everyone should have access to healthy food and also be able to make choices about the meals they prepare for their families. Solidarity Sandy Springs provides both resources and dignity to the people it serves. We’ve had the opportunity to volunteer at the pantry and enjoy the delicious meals prepared by the ladies. We are also discussing their long-term plans to secure a food truck.
Donate to Solidarity Sandy Springs
Dominic's Mission was established to remind us that "We are not here for ourselves." We are on a mission to help feed people in our community and the surrounding areas. Giving back and paying it forward is what it's all about! Whether it is donating or volunteering, we hope you will join us in this "Mission" to help our friends and neighbors in need.
Our goal is to help the folks in our community who need nutritious food, clothing, baby and hygiene needs + more.
Dominic and his partner Miranda own and operate Dominic's Food Trucks and Dining in Ball Ground, GA. We have known them since we started Simply Food Trucks and are grateful for the partnership, friendship, and good food. Dominic, originally from New York, has never met a stranger, and we are honored to support him in his efforts to help the community by being a sponsor at their first fundraiser this past fall.
Their mission is to provide emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources.
The story behind The Giving Kitchen
Giving Kitchen grew out of a beyond-expectation response to the devastating stage-four cancer diagnosis of Chef Ryan Hidinger in December 2012. Ryan was well-known in the Atlanta restaurant community for his work at Bacchanalia, Floataway Café, and Muss & Turner's. And he and his wife, Jen, were beloved for their supper club called Prelude to Staplehouse, which they hosted for several years as a precursor to opening their dream restaurant.
The response to Ryan's diagnosis - initially from friends within the restaurant industry and then quickly from an ever-expanding community across Atlanta - was truly heroic: an outpouring of love and financial support to help with his expenses not covered by insurance.
Jen said that this outpouring gave Ryan peace of mind that she believes extended his life by at least six months. The community's overwhelming response to the Hidingers' crisis set the intent, beliefs, and values for Giving Kitchen.
To this day, thanks to the leadership and vision of the Hidinger family and our donors, partners, staff, and board, Giving Kitchen has supported thousands of food service workers in crisis.
SFT proudly supports The Giving Kitchen by securing food trucks for their annual fundraiser – Team Hidid, which in turn, helps the food truck community in times of need. They also host fun chef-driven events.
We encourage you to check out these incredible organizations, as their ability to help the most vulnerable members of our community is based on the generosity of others. As we end our final post and close another year, the SFT team wants to thank you for your incredible support. We are grateful to all of you and are excited for what 2023 has to bring!
